As summer’s super-heated whether and sunny afternoons tempt us to wear less clothing and stay outside, hair-removal patients should be weary. Exposing skin to sunlight that has been treated with a laser to remove unwanted body hair can result in skin discoloration and compromised hair-removal results.

Not only do the ultraviolet rays of the sun speed the aging process of your skin, but they can also darken the skin which in turn hinders the hair-removing lasers ability to target the melanin in the hair shafts during removal. Darker skin, whether naturally so or sun-tanned, is also more prone to hyper pigmentation (burning) as a result of laser hair removal.

Completely avoiding sun exposure is often unrealistic as many of us get sun without even knowing it (i.e.- sitting in the car, sitting next to a window at work, etc.) Therefore, preventative daily application of sunscreen is key. The professionals at Laser Lights typically recommend a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. This enables you to be exposed to sunlight, protected from burning, 30 times longer than you would be able to with unprotected skin. Everyone’s skin is different, but laser and skin experts agree, it’s much better to err on the side of caution when it comes to your laser hair removal results.

If you are interested in laser hair removal procedures or wish to reverse the appearance of wrinkles caused by the sun, contact Laser Lights by calling (770) 495-9322 or visiting their website.